N.O.R.F Posted January 27, 2010 Islam Channel chief executive arrested in South Africa Mohamed Ali Harrath faces deportation to Tunisia over claims he is linked to alleged terror organisation The head of the UK-based Islam Channel has been arrested in South Africa and faces deportation to Tunisia over terrorism charges. Mohamed Ali Harrath, who has advised Scotland Yard on Islamic extremism, had been sought by Interpol and authorities in Tunisia over claims that he was linked to an alleged terror organisation in his homeland. The Islam Channel said Harrath's arrest was a "direct result of the unlawful use" by the Tunisian government of the Interpol red notice system, the international police organisation's highest form of alert, and described it as part of an "established process of harassment and intimidation". Harrath was held at OR Tambo airport after flying into South Africa from London on Sunday. His supporters blamed his arrest on a clampdown by South African authorities in the build-up to this summer's football World Cup, according to reports. A free-to-air English-language service that also broadcasts in Africa, Asia and continental Europe, the Islam Channel is said to be watched by the majority of the two-million-plus Muslims in the UK. Harrath, who has a heart condition, collapsed during his arrest and is being treated at a hospital in Pretoria, under police guard. He created the Tunisian Islamic Front in 1986, which he described as a "non-violent political party founded ... to oppose the one-party state in Tunisia and to seek change through peaceful means". He was convicted in absentia of numerous criminal and terrorism-related offences by Tunisian courts and sentenced to 56 years in prison. The Islam Channel said the offences included "belonging to an unauthorised political party" and distributing leaflets and holding meetings. Harrath arrived in Britain in 1995 and was later accepted as a refugee. He is chief executive of the Islam Channel, which was founded in 2004. • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email editor@mediaguardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. • If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication". http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/jan/26/mohamed-ali-harrath Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
5 Posted January 27, 2010 "He was convicted in absentia of numerous criminal and terrorism-related offences by Tunisian courts and sentenced to 56 years in prison." This is so sad, subhanaAllah. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
